HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
KONA VICE SECTION
LIEUTENANT ROBERT P. HICKCOX
PHONE: 326-4205
APRIL 25, 2003
MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE
Two suspects arrested Wednesday (April 23, 2003) in a drug sweep of Ka’u have been turned over to federal prosecutors for illegal possession of firearms under the Safe Neighborhoods Program.
The two were identified as Douglas Rychener, 37, and John Roddy, 52. Both were transported to the federal detention center in Honolulu.
Rychener was also charged with one count of promoting a dangerous drug, one count of illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of promoting a detrimental drug, two counts of prohibited ownership of a firearm and one count of failure to have a permit to acquire a firearm. His bail was set at $15,000.
Roddy was also charged with one count of promoting a dangerous drug, two counts promoting a detrimental drug, one count of illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of failure to have a permit to acquire firearms and one count of having no firearms registration. His bail was set at $5,500.
The two were among 12 persons arrested during the drug sweep in Ka’u.
Assisted by officers from the Community Policing Program, Hilo Vice Section and Ka’u Patrol and agents from the State Department of Land and Natural Resources and U.S. Customs Service, Kona Vice Section officers executed four search warrants on five structures in Naalehu and Green Sands subdivision of Ka’u.
In addition, they seized a number of items, including 1.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice”; 26 grams of dry and 12.2 grams of wet marijuana; four marijuana plants ranging in height from seedlings to three feet; drug paraphernalia; surveillance equipment; $444 in cash; and two .22-caliber rifles with ammunition.
In addition to Douglas Rychener and John Roddy, police also arrested Sherwood Silva, 29, Henrylyn Hose, 25, Saydi Cajigal, 29, Delfredo Llanes, 35, Dawson Pilanca, 21, Madeline Rychener, 34, Charlene Roddy, 53, Matthew Roddy, 23, Edward Billman Sr., 50, and Suemae Billman, 51.
On Friday, police charged the following suspects:
- Sherwood Silva — charged with illegal possession of drug paraphernalia and prohibited ownership of a firearm. He is being held in lieu of $7,000 bail.
- Henrylyn Hose — charged with illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released on $1,000 bail.
- Matthew Roddy — charged with promoting a detrimental drug, having no permit to acquire a firearm and failure to register a firearm. He was released on $250 bail.
- Suemae Billman — charged with promoting a dangerous drug, promoting a detrimental drug and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released on $2,050 bail.
- Edward Billman — charged with promoting a detrimental drug and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on $1,050 bail.
- Madelyn Rychener — charged with promoting a dangerous drug and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. She is being held in lieu of $2,000 bail.
The remaining suspects were released pending further investigation by Kona Vice Section detectives.
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